What's the deal with furnaces anyway?. You spend 1-4k on one, or even have to zone your house, and for some reason you get sold on the best one, I.e. big brands like Carrier, (which I believe are overpriced, and only certain people can work or even get parts on them.). Lets not even get going on parts for them, they ARE ALL THE SAME PARTS, SAME MANUFACTURER but for some reason they cost more when you have to buy them for the higher end models.

All right, so I need a new furnace can you tell. I'm on my 10th year (or supposedly that what's the furnace says when it was installed), of this furnaces life. It's a high efficiency Carrier, but what can someone do. I have heard of such brands as Lennox, American Standard, Trane, and many more... What should I do. What brands are for real out there all you HVAC guys who actually have to work/install these things... What is best bang for buck if I want to spend a little and get what I pay for, but not over-pay. Please support with facts.

Thanks for your comments and help.

P.s. I was trying to be funny here... If it helps, I have a 3,000 sq ft house, (ranch) w/ full basement (not included in sq ft, not finished).

Thanks guys, look forward to a spirited comment thread, but please just get down to the facts!

It really all comes down to installation. Any furnace is only as good as its install. Also, reliabitly of installing company to stand behind their product of choice in the event there is a problem with the unit (even the most expensive units can have problems right ouf of the box, just the nature of anything mechanical, or electronic). I agree that there are some extremely overpriced units out there. I can only give my experience with the units we deal with on a regular basis, but I believe most any new high eff furnace is going to be comparable to the next. Key things to keep in mind are, or course price, ease and availability of repair parts in your area, dependability of installer etc. I have installed Rheem, Goodman, and we now install York (very impressed with yorks design, especially the multi mounting capability). Warranty is a big thing to consider too. I know Goodman is at 95percent eff, and York is at 95.5 eff, not sure on rheem, as I haven't installed one for a few years. Most all new high eff are right around 95%.

Now, all that being said, you would be best to get at least three different bids from different installers, and make a decision based on which makes you most comfortable. Lots of option out there, and I would try to stay with at least a somewhat namebrand unit. Good luck in your decision. Take care.

Couple questions for you then, if the current system I have in my house is a Carrier are you suggesting that I choose a York because of its ease of install vs another brand that may promise a longer life... And if I where to say I have a family member who is a union member of both pipe fitting and HVAC then an install wouldn't be an issue at all? It would just be a matter of finding a furnace that would outlast the next installers recommendations. Which by the way I find to be bull. They install based on profit. Simple as that. I guess what I'm looking for is just that, a high quality high efficienct machine that will not let me down. In the event I choose not to go with same brand, but instead try to fit another brand your suggesting going with the easier one.

I just go back to my original post, what is the best high efficiency furnace out there for good money and not overpriced that will not require Carrier parts. If you work on furnaces you know that Carrier is a different animal.

Install is no easier on one to the next. I only meant you can mount the York in any position( which is just nice so you don't have to special order a downflow or horizontal unit). Just talking here, not trying to persuade you in any way. I agree, get the unit you feel most comfortable with. I haven't seen any of the newer Carriers, just older ones (over ten years old, and I agree they can be a pain). I would think they have changed their design somewhat over the last ten years, as most have. Take care.

From a consumer's point of view (I am not an HVAC employee or contractor) I have to agree with mgd77 in that you should get three estimates and go with the one you're comfortable with. Prior to my purchase and installation in November 2011 I took the time (it takes time and effort)beginning in October to contact four contractors and received quotes ranging from $4500 to $2800, different furnace brands as well as different opinions on the unit's BTU/efficiency/output, etc. for the size of my home.

Different prices, different brand names (from the well known to the obscure and unknown), different opinions concerning BTU/efficiency. I went with the contractor who measured my home, counted the radiators in my home and did the math. He demonstarted confidence, knowledge, and professionalis; case closed.

Also, you made note of the fact that you have a family member in the pipe fitting and HVAC industry, if you have not already discussed this with him... why not? He is after all a family member with, hopefully, enough experience in the industry and can give you an insider's point of view concerning brand, installation, and necessary BTU for the size of your home, etc.

Best of luck...